The Retail Price Index in October went up to 119.12 from 118.22 in September 2009 (0.76 per cent) the NSO said today.

It said this primarily reflected an increase of 10.29 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly brought about by seasonal price rises in women's outerwear. A rise of 1.76 per cent was registered in the Recreation and Culture Index, mainly on account of an increase in education expenses.

The Food Index registered an increase of 0.28 per cent, mainly due to an increase in the price of fruit. A similar rise was registered in the Other Goods and Services Index, mainly resulting from an increase in the price of certain jewellery items. Upward shifts in the prices of various personal hygiene articles and toilet preparations caused the Personal Care and Health Index to go up by 0.15 per cent.

The Housing Index went up by 0.11 per cent, mainly on account of price increases in materials used for plastering. More expensive furniture items caused the Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index to go up by 0.10 per cent. The Beverages and Tobacco Index went up by 0.05 per cent, mainly due to higher prices for non-alcoholic beverages.

Downward shifts in the fares charged for air transport services caused the Transport and Communication Index to go down by 0.56 per cent. The Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index went down by 0.04 per cent, mainly due to a lower price for kerosene.

In October, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation dropped to 2.99 per cent from 3.46 in September, whereas the annual rate stood at -0.18 per cent from 1.18 in September.